Circuit board having a feedthrough wire connector for use in a medical device

ABSTRACT

A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly comprising a terminal pin connector is described. The terminal pin connector is designed to facilitate an electrical connection between the terminal pin comprising a multitude of compositions to a circuit board of an implantable medical device. The terminal pin connector comprises a clip portion positioned within a connector housing. The connector clip mechanically attaches to the terminal pin of the feedthrough with at least one prong and an exterior surface of the connector housing electrically contacts the circuit board, creating an electrical connection therebetween. The connector housing comprises a material that is conducive to a weld or solder attachment process to the circuit board. The feedthrough filter capacitor assembly is particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/747,582, filed on Jun. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,692,173, whichis a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/487,293, filed on Jun. 4, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,065,224, whichclaims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/492,828,filed on Jun. 3, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a hermetic feedthrough terminal pinassembly, preferably of the type incorporating a filter capacitor. Morespecifically, this invention relates to a connector assembly comprisinga clip positioned within a housing for incorporation into feedthroughfilter capacitor assemblies, particularly of the type used inimplantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverterdefibrillators, and the like. That is to facilitate connection of thefeedthrough terminal pin to a circuit board within the implantablemedical device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Feedthrough assemblies are generally well known in the art for use inconnecting electrical signals through the housing or case of anelectronic instrument. For example, in an implantable medical device,such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or neurostimulator, thefeedthrough assembly comprises one or more conductive terminal pinssupported by an insulator structure for passage of electrical signalsfrom the exterior to the interior of the medical device. The conductiveterminals are fixed into place using a metallization and gold brazeprocess, which provides a hermetic seal between the pin and insulativematerial.

Conventionally, a distal end portion of the terminal pin is electricallyconnected directly within the implantable medical device. In this case,the distal end portion of the terminal pin is electrically connecteddirectly to an electrical circuit residing within the device by using asoldering or welding attachment process. This connection is readilyachievable utilizing platinum or platinum alloy based terminal pins ofthe prior art. However, the cost of these platinum based terminal pinsis prohibitively costly to manufacture. As a result, other lower costmetals such as niobium, tantalum and titanium are increasingly beingutilized in replacement of platinum and platinum alloy based terminalpins. These alternative materials provide adequate electricalconduction, however, their specific material properties make themdifficult to weld or solder to the electrical contacts of a circuitboard. The electrical contacts of the circuit board are typicallycomprised of gold or copper which are known to be readily solderable andweldable metals.

The present invention, therefore, facilitates the electrical connectionof the terminal pin to the circuit board by providing a connector thatenables an improved connection of the feedthrough terminal pin,regardless of its composition. The terminal pin connector of the presentinvention comprises a clip that is encompassed within a housing. Theclip is positioned circumferentially around the terminal pin and isdesigned to grip the terminal pin in such a way as to prevent the pinfrom moving proximally or distally out of the connector.

The connector housing comprises an annular sidewall with an outersurface designed to establish physical contact with the circuit board,providing electrical connection therebetween. The outer surface of theconnector housing sidewall may be constructed of, or coated with, anelectrically conductive material that is conducive to soldering and/orwelding attachment processes. Therefore, the present invention providesa feedthrough with an improved electrical connection between itsterminal pin or pins and the circuit board of an implantable medicaldevice, for a multitude of terminal pin compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred form, a feedthrough filter capacitor assembly accordingto the present invention comprises an outer ferrule hermetically sealedto either an alumina insulator or fused glass dielectric material seatedwithin the ferrule. The insulative material is also hermetically sealedto at least one terminal pin. That way, the feedthrough assemblyprevents leakage of fluid, such as body fluid in a human implantapplication, past the hermetic seal at the insulator/ferrule andinsulator/terminal pin interfaces.

According to the invention, a connector is affixed to a distal endportion of at least one of the terminal pins of the feedthrough. Theconnector comprises a clip that resides within a connector housing. Theclip is design to grasp the outer perimeter of the terminal pin, thuspreventing the clip from moving in relation to the pin. The connectorhousing comprises a annular sidewall that surrounds and encompasses theclip therewithin.

In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall of the connector housingcomprises an electrically conductive interior and external surface thatestablishes an electrical connection between a circuit board of animplantable medical device and the terminal pin of the feedthrough. Thesidewall of the connector housing can either be constructed of anelectrically conductive material, or alternatively, a portion of theexterior and interior surfaces of the connector sidewall, such as by acoating composed of an electrically conductive material. It is preferredthat the material with which the connector sidewall is constructed orcoated, is conducive to solder or welding attachment processes. Once theconnector pin and feedthrough assembly are positioned within theimplantable medical device, a portion of the exterior surface of thesidewall of the connector is positioned such that it establisheselectrical contact within the implantable medical device. Morepreferably, a portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall of theconnector housing is soldered or welded to a circuit board positionedwithin a medical device. This joined connection, therefore, establishesan electrical connection between the circuit board and the terminal pinof the feedthrough, through the connector housing sidewall.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome increasingly more apparent by a reading of the followingdescription in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the feedthroughconnector assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the connector feedthroughconnector assembly comprising a one-piece housing.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the feedthroughconnector assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the connectorfeature.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate different embodiments of the clip portion of theconnector feature.

FIG. 5A shows a proximal end view of an embodiment of the connectorfeature.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the connector feature shown in FIG.5A.

FIG. 5C shows a distal end view of the connector feature shown in FIG.5A.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the connector feature being joinedto a conductor pad of a circuit board.

FIG. 7 shows a magnified partial cross-sectional view of an embodimentof the feedthrough connector assembly positioned within an implantablemedical device.

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of afeedthrough connector assembly of the present invention positionedwithin an implantable medical device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, and 7A illustrate anembodiment of a feedthrough connector assembly 10 of the presentinvention. The feedthrough connector assembly 10 is useful with medicaldevices, preferably an active implantable medical device (AIMD) 12 (FIG.7A) such as a pacemaker, cardiac defibrillator, cardioverterdefibrillator, cochlear implant, neurostimulator, internal drug pump,deep brain stimulator, hearing assist device, incontinence device,obesity treatment device, Parkinson's disease therapy device, bonegrowth stimulator, and the like. As shown, the connector assembly 10comprises a feedthrough 14 portion and a terminal pin connector portion16.

The feedthrough 14 portion of the assembly 10 includes terminal pins 18that provide for coupling, transmitting and receiving electrical signalsto and from body tissue, such as a patient's heart, while hermeticallysealing the interior of the medical instrument against ingress ofpatient body fluids that could otherwise disrupt instrument operation orcause instrument malfunction.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment ofan internally grounded feedthrough capacitor connector assembly 20 ofthe present invention. As illustrated the internally groundedfeedthrough capacitor connector assembly 20 comprises a filterfeedthrough capacitor assembly 22 comprising a capacitor 24 that isattached to the feedthrough portion 14. Like the feedthrough connectorassembly 10, the feedthrough capacitor connector assembly 20 comprises aconnector portion 16. While not necessary for accomplishing thesefunctions, the filter capacitor 24 is attached to the feedthrough 14 forsuppressing or decoupling undesirable electro-magnetic interference(EMI) signals and noise transmission into the interior of the medicaldevice.

More particularly, the feedthrough 14 of the feedthrough connectorassembly 10 and the feedthrough filter capacitor assembly 22, comprisesa ferrule 26 defining an insulator-receiving bore surrounding aninsulator 28. Suitable electrically conductive materials for the ferrule26 include titanium, tantalum, niobium, stainless steel or combinationsof alloys thereof, the former being preferred. The ferrule 26 may be ofany geometry, non-limiting examples being curved, round, rectangle, andoblong. A surrounding flange 30 extends from the ferrule 26 tofacilitate attachment of the feedthrough 14 to a casing 32 of theimplantable medical device 12 as previously described (FIGS. 7 and 7A).The method of attachment may be by laser welding, soldering or othersuitable methods.

The insulator 28 is of a ceramic material such as of alumina, zirconia,zirconia toughened alumina, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, siliconcarbide, glass or combinations thereof. Preferably, the insulatingmaterial is alumina, which is highly purified aluminum oxide, andcomprises a sidewall 34 extending to a first upper side 36 and a secondlower side 38. The insulator 28 is also provided with bores 40 thatreceive the terminal pins 18 passing therethrough. A layer of metal 42,referred to as metallization, is applied to the insulator sidewall 34and a bore sidewall 44 of the terminal pin bores 40 to aid a brazematerial 46 in hermetically sealing between the ferrule 26 and thesidewall 34 of the insulator 28 and between the terminal pins 18 and thebore sidewall 44 of the insulator 28, respectively. Specifically, themetallization layer 42 is preferably applied to a portion of the outersurface of the insulator sidewall 34 and a portion of the surface of theinside sidewall 44 of the terminal pin bores 40. These surfaces areintended to contact and bond with the ferrule 26 and terminal pins 18respectively of the feedthrough assembly 14, establishing a hermeticseal therebetween.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the feedthrough filter capacitor assembly 22includes the filter capacitor 24 that provides for filtering undesirableEMI signals before they can enter the device housing via the terminalpins 18. The filter capacitor 24 comprises a ceramic or ceramic-baseddielectric monolith 48 having multiple capacitor-forming conductiveelectrode plates formed therein. The capacitor dielectric 48 preferablyhas a circular cross-section matching the cross-section of the ferrule26 and supports a plurality of spaced-apart layers of first or “active”electrode plates 50 in spaced relationship with a plurality of spacedapart layers of second or “ground” electrode plates 52. Alternatively,the capacitor dielectric 48 may have an oval or rectangularcross-section that approaches the cross-section shape of the ferrule 26.The filter capacitor 24 is preferably joined to the feedthrough 14adjacent to the insulator upper side 36 by a bead 54 of conductivematerial, such as a solder or braze ring, or a thermal-settingconductive adhesive, and the like. The dielectric 48 includes lead bores56 provided with an inner surface metallization layer. The terminal pins18 pass therethrough and are conductively coupled to the active plates50 by a conductive braze material 58 contacting between the terminalpins 18 and the bore metallization. In a similar manner, the groundplates 52 are electrically connected through an outer surfacemetallization 60 and the conductive material 54 to the ferrule 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 7 and 7A, the terminal pin connector 16 ofthe present invention is attached to at least one terminal pin 18 of thefeedthrough 14. The terminal pin connector 16 may be attached to theterminal pin 18 of either an unfiltered feedthrough assembly 14, asshown in FIGS. 1-2, 6, 7 and 7A, or the feedthrough filter capacitorassembly 22, as illustrated in FIG. 3. More specifically, the connectorportion 16 is attached to a distal end portion 62 of the terminal pin18. For identification purposes, the distal end portion 62 of theterminal pin 18 is defined as the portion of the terminal pin 18 thatresides within the active implantable medical device (AIMD) 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 4A-4C and 5A-5C, the terminal pinconnector 16 comprises a clip 64 that resides within a connector housing66. The clip 64 is designed to be positioned around the perimeter of theterminal pin 18 such that the clip 64 grasps the exterior surface of theterminal pin 18. In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, and 5B, theclip 64 comprises a clip base portion 68 with at least one prong 70extending from the base 68. As shown, the clip base portion 68 comprisesan annular sidewall 72 which encompasses a clip base portion throughbore74. This throughbore 74 is the opening through which the terminal pin 18longitudinally extends. The base throughbore 74 is dimensioned such thatthe terminal pin 18 of a multitude of diameters can pass therethrough.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the clip 64 comprises at least one prongor finger 70 that extends from the base portion 68. As shown, the prongor prongs 70 are preferably angled inwardly towards a longitudinal axisA-A (FIG. 5B) that extends longitudinally through the throughbore 74 ofthe base portion 68. This inward orientation enables the prong or prongs70 to contact and compress against the exterior surface of the perimeterof the terminal pin 18 gripping the pin 18 therewithin. In addition, theinward orientation of the prong 70 creates a wedging relationshipbetween the terminal pin 18 and the base clip annular sidewall 72. Asthe end of the prong 70 compresses against the sidewall of the terminalpin 18, the pin 18 becomes wedged between the prong 70 and the bottomedge of the sidewall 72. Such a wedging relationship helps prevent theterminal pin 18 from disengaging with the clip 64.

As the terminal pin 18 is introduced through the base portion 68 of theclip 64, the space between the prong(s) 70 expands to thereby allow theterminal pin 18 to proceed therebetween. The prong(s) 70 of the clip 64are preferably designed to allow the terminal pin 18 to proceed in onedirection between the prong end(s) such that the terminal pin 18 isprohibited from moving in the reverse direction. In a preferredembodiment, the terminal pin 18 proceeds in a distal direction throughthe throughbore 74 of the clip 64 residing within the connector housing66. Once positioned within the throughbore 74, the angled prongorientation grips the pin 18 and prevents it from moving in the reverseproximal direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a clip 64 and connectorhousing 66 assembly of the present invention. As shown, a single prong70 extends from the base portion 68 of the clip 64. In addition, theconnector housing 66 comprises an opening 67 that partially extendsthrough the thickness of the housing 66 from a first housing end 59towards a second housing end 69. The opening 67 has a first diameterthat extends through the first housing end 59. The opening 67 extendsaxially along longitudinal axis A-A through a portion of the housingthickness to an end wall 65 located at the second housing end 69,thereby forming a blind hole 67 within the connector housing 66. Asdefined herein a “blind hole” is a hole that is formed such as byreaming, drilling, or milling to a specified depth without breakingthrough the end wall 65 of the work piece.

In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the distal end 62 ofthe terminal pin 18 is positioned within the blind hole 67 that extendsalong longitudinal axis A-A. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end62 of the terminal pin 18 is positioned within the blind hole 67proximate an interior surface 63 of the end wall 65.

In addition, a single prong 70 is shown extending distally from theannular sidewall 72. In a preferred embodiment, the end of the prong 70contacts a portion of an exterior surface of the terminal pin 18 alongthe distal end portion 62 that resides within the opening 67. This is tohelp prevent inadvertent movement of the terminal pin 18 along thelongitudinal axis A-A out from within the connector opening 67. Theprong 70 is preferably angled inwardly towards the central axis A-A thatextends longitudinally through the throughbore 74 of the base portion 68and into the blind hole 67. As previously mentioned, this inwardorientation enables the prong 70 to contact and compress against theexterior surface of the perimeter of the terminal pin 18 gripping thepin 18 therewithin. Furthermore, the prong 70 creates a wedgingrelationship between the exterior surface of the terminal pin 18 and theannular sidewall 72.

In a preferred embodiment, a recess 71, such as the recess illustratedin FIG. 3, may partially extend within an external terminal pin surfaceabout the distal pin portion 62 thereof. More preferably, the recess 71is positioned such that it annularly extends around the circumference ofthe pin 18 within the distal pin portion 62. The recess 71 preferablyenhances the grip of the prong 70 along the pin's exterior surface byproviding a groove within the exterior pin surface for the end of theprong 70 to be positioned therewithin. Thus, the recess 71 helps preventthe pin 18 from becoming disengaged from the clip 64. In addition, therecess 71 helps prevent the connector housing 66 from undesirably movingin a distal axial direction such that it might slide off the distal endof the terminal pin 18.

Alternatively, in lieu of the recess 71, an outwardly extending ridge 73may be constructed about the distal portion 62 of the terminal pin 18.Like the recess 71, the ridge 73 may be positioned such that itannularly extends around the circumference of the pin 18 within thedistal end portion 62. Like the recess 71, the outwardly extending ridge73 helps prevent disengagement of the clip 64 from the terminal pin 18.In a preferred embodiment, when the pin 18 is positioned within theconnector housing 66, the ridge 73 is preferably positioned proximal ofthe end of the prong 70. This way, the ridge 73 enhances the grip of theprong 70 on the exterior surface of the pin 18 and helps preventunintentional distal axial movement of the connector housing 66 thatwould disengage it from the terminal pin 18.

The connector clip 64 is preferably composed of an electricallyconductive material, such as an electrically conductive metal. Theconnector clip 64 is designed to provide an electrical connectionbetween the terminal pin 18 of the feedthrough 14 and the connectorhousing 66. In a preferred embodiment, the clip 64 may be constructedfrom copper, tin, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, gold, platinum,palladium, palladium alloys, associated alloys and combinations thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 4A-4C, 5A-5C, 7 and 7A, the connector housing 66comprises an annular sidewall 76 which encompasses a housing throughbore78 or blind opening 67 (FIG. 3) that extends longitudinallytherethrough. In the embodiment shown, the housing 66 is designedsimilarly to that of a tube having an opening that extends from aproximal housing end 80 to a distal housing end 82. The connectorhousing 66 comprises a sidewall thickness 84 that extends from aninterior sidewall surface 86 to an exterior sidewall surface 88. In apreferred embodiment, the terminal pin connector 16 has a length 90ranging from about 0.25 inches to about 2.0 inches and a throughborediameter 92 that ranges from about 0.1 inches to about 0.25 inches.

An individual clip 64 is preferably positioned within the throughbore 78or blind hole 67 (FIG. 3) of each connector housing 66. This orientationprevents the clip 64 from moving within or out of the housing 66.Furthermore, this embodiment allows each of the terminal pins 18 to bebent in individual orientations. Alternatively, as shown in theembodiment of FIG. 2, the connector housing may be constructed of aone-piece housing body 94. In this embodiment, the connector housingbody 94 comprises a one-piece construction having a plurality clips 64positioned within each of the individual housing thoughbores 78. Thehousing throughbores 78 may be arranged in a linear orientation or theymay be arranged in the form of a circle, oval, triangle, star or thelike to match the cross-sectional form of the feedthrough 14.

The exterior surface of the sidewall 88 of the connector housing 66 orone-piece housing body embodiment 94, is preferably constructed with atleast one planar surface portion 93. As shown in FIG. 4, the illustratedembodiment of the connector housing 66 comprises four planar surfaceportions, a top planar surface 96, a bottom planar surface 98, a leftside planar surface 100 and a right side planar surface 102 that extendat least part way along the longitudinal length of the housing 66.Alternatively, the connector housing 66 may comprise fewer or moreexterior surface planar portions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the planar surface portion 93 of the exteriorsurface 88 of the housing 66 is designed to establish intimateelectrical contact with an electrical contact pad 104 of a circuit board106 of the medical device 12. As such, the connector housing 66 may becomposed of an electrically conductive material or alternatively, iscoated with an electrically conductive material, such as a metal.

In an embodiment, the exterior surface 88 of the connector housing 66comprises a coating of an electrically conductive material. In apreferred embodiment, the coating is conducive for use in the joiningprocesses of soldering or welding. The coating may comprise, but not belimited to, copper, tin, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, gold,platinum, palladium, palladium alloys, associated alloys andcombinations thereof.

Alternatively, a portion of the exterior surface 88 and a portion of theinterior surface 86 of the sidewall 76 of the connector housing 66 maybe constructed of an electrically conductive material, particularly amaterial that is conducive to the joining processes of soldering and/orwelding. In either case, the connector housing 66 preferably enables anelectrically conductive pathway that extends through at least a portionof the thickness 84 of the housing sidewall from the inner surface 86 ofthe housing 66 to the outer surface 88. The connector housing 66 isdesigned such that an electrical connection is made between the terminalpin. 18 of the feedthrough 14 portion and the circuit board 106 of theAIMD 12.

Once the connector feedthrough assembly 10 or filtered feedthroughconnector assembly 20 is positioned within the AIMD 12, the exteriorsurface 88 of the connector housing 66 may be electrically joined to anelectrically conductive pad or area 104 of the circuit board of the AIMD12 by a weld 107. As shown in FIG. 6, a joining instrument 108, such asa laser welding or soldering instrument, may be utilized to join aportion of the exterior housing surface 88 to the circuit board pad 104.Although it is preferred that the exterior surface of the housing 66 ofthe connector 16 is permanently joined to the electrical contact pad 104of the circuit board 106, the exterior surface 88 of the housing 66 ofthe connector may be placed in contact with the surface of theelectrical contact pad 104, without the joining weld 107, such that itmay be easily removed. For example, once the terminal pin connector(s)are positioned over the terminal pin(s), the terminal pin(s) may be bentsuch that the exterior surface 88 of the housing 66 is in a removeablecontactable relationship with the surface of the electrical contact pad104 of the circuit board 106.

The feedthrough connector assembly 10 or filtered feedthrough connectorassembly 20 is preferably designed to be utilized with a “clam shell”style medical device casing 32. A “clam shell” type medical devicecasing 32 is one in which two opposing case halves come together to formthe full casing In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, thefeedthrough connector assembly 10 or filtered feedthrough connectorassembly 20 is positioned within an inlet 110 of a first half 112 of thecasing 32. The flange 30 is typically welded to casing half within theinlet 110 and the terminal pin connector(s) 16, attached to theirrespective terminal pins 18, are positioned on the circuit board pad(s)104 of the circuit board 106. In a second embodiment, the terminal pinconnector(s) 16 may be first positioned and joined either by welding orsoldering 107 on the circuit board pad(s) 104 of the circuit board 106.After the terminal pin connector(s) 16 are positioned on theirrespective circuit board pad(s) 104, the terminal pins 18, arepositioned within the terminal pin connector(s) 16. Once the terminalpins 18 are correctly positioned, the flange 30 of the feedthrough 14 ispreferably welded to the first case half 112. In either embodiment, asecond case half or case lid 114 (FIG. 7) is positioned adjacent to thefirst case half 112 such that their respective inlets 110 and sidewallsoppose each over. The respective first and second halves of the casing32 are typically welded together establishing a hermetic sealtherewithin.

It is appreciated that various modifications to the invention conceptsdescribed herein may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope of the present invention as defined bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector assembly, which comprises: a) a circuit board; and b) an electrically conductive connector, comprising: i) a connector housing comprising a housing sidewall defining an opening surrounded by an inner surface of the housing sidewall, wherein the inner housing surface has a first length extending along a longitudinal axis to opposed first and second open housing ends, and wherein the inner housing surface has a first diameter for at least part of the first length; and ii) at least one prong supported by the housing sidewall, wherein the prong extends axially and inwardly along the longitudinal axis to a prong end that is closer to the axis than the first diameter of the inner housing surface, c) wherein the connector housing electrically contacts the circuit board, thereby creating an electrical connection therebetween.
 2. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner housing surface extends from the first diameter to an end wall within the connector housing, thereby forming a blind hole therewithin.
 3. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein at least an exterior surface of the connector housing comprises an electrically conductive material.
 4. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein at least an exterior surface of the connector housing comprises a material selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, gold, platinum, palladium, titanium, and combinations thereof.
 5. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector further comprises an inner base portion, the inner base portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter and a second length that is less than the first length of the housing sidewall, and wherein the at least one prong is supported by the base portion in the connector housing opening.
 6. The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein the inner base portion of the connector has an annular shape about the connector housing opening.
 7. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing sidewall at the first housing end has a beveled shaped extending inwardly toward the longitudinal axis.
 8. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the housing sidewall comprises at least one planar surface configured for contacting the circuit board.
 9. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein there are from two to four prongs supported by the housing sidewall at spaced locations about the longitudinal axis.
 10. A connector assembly, which comprises: a) a circuit board; and b) an electrically conductive connector, comprising: i) a connector housing comprising a housing sidewall defining an opening surrounded by an inner surface of the housing sidewall, wherein the inner housing surface has a first length extending along a longitudinal axis to opposed first and second housing ends, wherein the inner housing surface defining the opening extends part-way along the first length from a first diameter at the first housing end to a second diameter that is less than the first diameter and is proximate the second housing end; and ii) at least one prong supported by the housing sidewall in the opening, wherein the prong extends axially and inwardly along the longitudinal axis to a prong end that is closer to the axis than the first diameter of the inner housing surface, c) wherein the connector housing electrically contacts the circuit board, thereby creating an electrical connection therebetween.
 11. The connector assembly of claim 10 wherein there is an end wall at the second housing end, thereby providing the opening as a blind opening.
 12. The connector assembly of claim 10 wherein at least an exterior surface of the connector housing comprises an electrically conductive material.
 13. The connector assembly of claim 10 wherein at least an exterior surface of the connector housing comprises a material selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, gold, platinum, palladium, titanium, and combinations thereof.
 14. The connector assembly of claim 10 wherein the connector further comprises an inner base portion, the inner base portion having the second diameter less than the first diameter and a second length that is less than the first length of the housing sidewall, and wherein the at least one prong is supported by the base portion in the connector housing opening.
 15. The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein the base portion of the connector has an annular shape about the connector housing opening.
 16. The connector assembly of claim 10 wherein the housing sidewall at the first housing end has a beveled shaped extending inwardly toward the longitudinal axis.
 17. The connector assembly of claim 10 wherein an exterior surface of the housing sidewall comprises at least one planar surface configured for contacting the circuit board.
 18. The connector assembly of claim 10 wherein there are from two to four prongs supported by the housing sidewall at spaced locations about the longitudinal axis.
 19. A method for providing a circuit board that is connectable to a lead wire, comprising the steps of: a) providing a circuit board; b) providing an electrically conductive connector, comprising: i) a connector housing comprising a housing sidewall defining an opening surrounded by an inner surface of the housing sidewall, wherein the inner housing surface has a first length extending along a longitudinal axis to opposed first and second housing ends and wherein the inner housing surface has a first diameter for at least part of the first length; and ii) at least one prong supported by the housing sidewall in the opening, wherein the prong extends axially and inwardly along the longitudinal axis to a prong end that is closer to the axis than the first diameter of the inner housing surface; and c) electrically contacting the connector housing to the circuit board, thereby creating an electrical connection therebetween.
 20. The method of claim 19 including providing a blind hole that extends within the connector housing from the first diameter to an end wall along the first length.
 21. The method of claim 19 including electrically connecting the connector to an electrical contact on the circuit board.
 22. The method of claim 19 including joining the connector housing to the electrical contact using soldering or welding.
 23. The method of claim 19 including providing the connector further comprising an inner base portion, the inner base portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter and a second length that is less than the first length of the housing sidewall, and supporting the at least one prong by the base portion in the connector housing opening.
 24. The method of claim 23 including providing the inner base portion of the connector having an annular shape about the longitudinal axis.
 25. The method of claim 23 including constructing the connector housing, the base portion, and the at least one prong from a material selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, gold, platinum, palladium, titanium, and combinations thereof.
 26. The method of claim 19 including providing the housing sidewall at the first housing end having a beveled shaped extending inwardly toward the longitudinal axis.
 27. The method of claim 19 including providing the housing sidewall comprising at least one planar surface configured for contacting the circuit board.
 28. The method of claim 19 including providing from two to four prongs supported by the housing sidewall at spaced locations about the longitudinal axis. 